How to Alleviate Chest Pain Caused by Coronary Heart Disease

Experiencing chest pain due to coronary heart disease can be alarming, but there are several effective strategies to manage and reduce discomfort. It's essential to act quickly and calmly to minimize risk and ensure proper care.

Immediate Steps to Take During Chest Pain

1. Rest and Remain Calm: The first and most important step is to stop any physical activity and find a quiet place to sit or rest. Stress and anxiety can worsen the symptoms, so staying calm is crucial. Avoid any potential triggers such as cold weather, heavy meals, or emotional distress.

2. Use Nitroglycerin if Applicable: If the person has been prescribed nitroglycerin and doesn't have contraindications such as low blood pressure, glaucoma, or hypersensitivity, they should sit upright and place one nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. Chewing the tablet slightly may help it absorb faster. Relief usually occurs within 2–3 minutes and lasts about 20–30 minutes.

It's important to sit while taking nitroglycerin to prevent dizziness or fainting due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. If symptoms persist after 5 minutes and blood pressure remains stable, a second dose may be taken. If there's still no relief, emergency services should be contacted immediately.

Alternative Treatment Options

3. Consider Using Fast-Acting Cardiac Pills: In cases where nitroglycerin is unavailable or unsuitable, fast-acting cardiac medications such as "Fast Heart Pill" (Suxiao Jiuxin Wan) may be used. These pills can help relieve symptoms and improve blood flow to the heart. If the initial dose doesn't bring relief within 10 minutes, a second dose may be taken. However, if symptoms persist beyond 15 minutes, it's critical to seek emergency medical assistance without delay.

While these alternative medications may not lower blood pressure as significantly as nitroglycerin, they should still be taken while sitting to avoid potential dizziness or strain on the heart.

When to Seek Emergency Help

If chest pain lasts more than a few minutes and doesn't respond to medication, it could be a sign of a more serious condition such as a heart attack. In such cases, calling emergency services and getting to a hospital as quickly as possible is vital. Prompt medical attention can make a life-saving difference.